Newcastle dumped swap deal for £45m star, now he is set to hitch Leeds as their new file signing
Leeds United are actually set to win the race for James Trafford, with the Manchester Metropolis goalkeeper closing in on a £45m transfer to Elland Street.
Lucas Perri was unable to make a reputation for himself in his debut marketing campaign at Man Metropolis, making simply 16 Premier League appearances, after falling under Karl Darlow within the pecking order, which suggests Leeds have been eager so as to add a brand new goalkeeper to their ranks final summer time.
Like Perri, Trafford’s transfer within the 2025 summer time switch window did not go precisely to plan, with Metropolis occurring to signal Gianluigi Donnarumma, which meant the Englishman was restricted to simply 4 outings within the Premier League, throughout which period he conceded six objectives and saved one clear sheet.
Nonetheless, the 23-year-old did handle to catch the attention in different competitions, being lauded as “superb” by Bernardo Silva courtesy of his efficiency in Metropolis’s 2-0 EFL Cup closing victory towards Arsenal.
The ex-Burnley star saved seven clear sheets and conceded simply 5 objectives throughout 12 appearances within the EFL Cup and FA Cup, which signifies he may very well be able to being the primary alternative at a Premier League membership, fairly than enjoying second fiddle to Donnarumma.
Leeds set to win race for James Trafford
Based on the print version of The Day by day Mail, Leeds are actually set to win the race for Trafford, with a deal near being agreed.
The Metropolis goalkeeper is poised to finish a £45m change to Elland Street, after rival suitors Newcastle United pulled out of the race.
Ben Jacobs revealed the Magpies mentioned finishing a swap deal to ship Sandro Tonali to the Etihad in alternate for Trafford and a big price, however these talks ended after the Italian midfielder joined Tottenham.
|
Why Leeds and Newcastle have been chasing James Trafford |
|
|---|---|
|
Leeds United |
Leeds are in severe want of a brand new goalkeeper, having already misplaced Darlow and Illan Meslier this summer time. Perri stays at Elland Street in the meanwhile, however he’s now only one step away from signing for Torino in a loan-to-buy deal. The previous Lyon man saved simply three clear sheets in 16 Premier League outings final season, throughout which period he shipped 29 objectives. |
|
Newcastle United |
Newcastle, alternatively, are trying to find a long-term Nick Pope alternative. The Englishman remained their first-choice goalkeeper for almost all of the 2025-26 season, making 27 Premier League appearances, however he’s now 34-years-old, and has only one yr remaining on his contract. Aaron Ramsdale has returned to Southampton, exacerbating the necessity to signal a brand new goalkeeper, though the Magpies have already introduced in Ewen Jaouen from Reims. |
Replace on Leeds’ pursuit of Julian Brandt
Apart from strengthening between the sticks, Leeds additionally wish to signal a brand new ahead this summer time, and there was a optimistic replace on their pursuit of Julian Brandt, with the ex-Borussia Dortmund star desperate to make the transfer to Elland Street, fairly than becoming a member of Ajax.
A suggestion has already been offered to the German attacker, who has amassed 48 worldwide caps, and his willingness to hitch now places Leeds in a robust negotiating place.
Responses